Lucknow: Curfew was relaxed for four hours in the riot hit Saharanpur on Monday even though sporadic incidents had taken place late on Sunday night.
District magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said that curfew was relaxed from 10 am to 2 pm in the new city and from 3 pm to 7 pm in the old town areas. “This is to allow people to but items of daily need from the markets,” she said.
Security forces maintained a close vigil during the hours when curfew was relaxed and closure of shops was ordered as soon as the curfew relaxation ended.
In New Delhi, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said, “Saharanpur situation is fully under control. We are keeping a close vigil,” he said.
Mr Singh had on Saturday spoken to the UP Chief Minister and asked him to take all possible steps to maintain peace.
Meanwhile, late on Sunday night, miscreants set some shops on fire and pelted stones at police vehicles.
Saharanpur SP said the person who had “instigated” the violen-ce has been identified. “We have not arrested him yet, but we hope that we will catch hold of him very soon,” he said and added that the person has been charged with rioting, arson and conspiracy.
